Catholicos of All Armenians criticizes UOC ban
His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians
His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians has criticised the Ukrainian authorities for adopting a bill on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, TASS reports.
The Catholicos said that the Armenian Church learnt with concern about the actions of the Verkhovna Rada to ban the UOC.
"The bill on the activities of religious organisations with its provisions will create new undesirable sentiments among believers and will become a reason for neglecting the traditional and sacred church-legal canons of the Church of Christ, as well as violating the unity and harmony of spiritual life in the Orthodox Church," Karekin II said.
He expressed hope that the parliamentarians "will act with awareness of the sanctity of the faith... and with respect for the centuries-old traditions of the Church".
"According to our deep conviction, especially during these difficult trials, it is necessary to keep the Church aside from political processes and not turn the religious factor into an opportunity to sow speculation and contradictions," the Catholicos added.
As reported, MEPs appealed to the EU because of the persecution of the UOC.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.